Apparatus and method for mounting objects for viewing

ABSTRACT

A bottom surface of an aperture within a display apparatus is prepared to adhesively bond to an object for viewing by simply removing from the bottom surface a layer of material which is removably adhered to the bottom surface. The object to be viewed is placed into contacting relationship with the bottom surface to adhesively mount the object onto the bottom surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) (1) of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/498,111 filedAug. 27, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to displaying objects forviewing and, more particularly, to the mounting of such objects onto adisplay apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous albums, frames and other display arrangements areconventionally available for mounting thereon objects which can beviewed by an observer, for example, pictures (e.g., photographs),documents or other viewable objects. With some prior art displayarrangements, a considerable amount of skill is required in order toobtain a satisfactory visual presentation of a viewable object orplurality of viewable objects.

It is therefore desirable to provide for a capability of arranging andmounting one or more viewable objects onto a display apparatus withoutthe exercise of skills required by conventional approaches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a bottom surface ofan aperture within a display apparatus is prepared to adhesively bond toan object for viewing by simply removing from the bottom surface a layerof material which is removably adhered to the bottom surface. The objectto be viewed is placed into contacting relationship with the bottomsurface to adhesively mount the object onto the bottom surface.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art maybetter understand the detailed description of the invention thatfollows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will bedescribed hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they mayreadily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as abasis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art willalso realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, itmay be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrasesused throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; and the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understandthat such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likenumbers designate like objects, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of top mat A according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of base mat B according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention, and also shows how a protective film maybe removed from an adhesive surface of an aperture of base mat B andthat a photograph may be mounted with the aperture after the protectivefilm is removed.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective top view of top mat A and a perspective topview of base mat B with top mat A aligned over base mat B according toexemplary embodiments of the invention, and also shows how a protectivefilm may be removed from an adhesive surface of an aperture of base matB and that a photograph may be mounted with the aperture after theprotective film is removed.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective top view of top mat A and a perspective topview of base mat B showing how top mat A may be mounted on base mat Bafter photographs have been mounted within base mat B according toexemplary embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present invention in this patent documentare by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any wayto limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the principles of the present invention may beimplemented in any suitably arranged device. The numerous innovativeteachings of the present application will be described with particularreference to the presently preferred embodiment.

The present invention comprises a new and improved album (e.g., photocollage album) for mounting photographs and other documents (e.g.,diplomas). Although the album of the present invention may be used tomount documents other than photographs, the structure and operation ofthe album of the invention will be described using photographs as thedocuments to be mounted. It is understood that the album of theinvention is generally capable of mounting any type of document or otherobject to be viewed, and is not limited to mounting photographs.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the album comprises a top mat A and a base mat B.As will be more fully described, a user places photographs that are tobe mounted in the album on base mat B. After the photographs have beenmounted on base mat B, then the user places top mat A over the base matB to protect the photographs that are mounted on base mat B. Top mat Aand base mat B then comprise a unitary mounting frame that encloses andprotects the photographs.

Base mat B may be formed having portions that define a single aperture(not shown) for receiving and mounting a single photograph. Base mat Bis usually formed having portions that define a plurality of aperturesfor receiving a plurality of photographs. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, asurface 21 adjoins a plurality of apertures having respective surfaces23 that are offset from the surface 21 to define the depths of therespective apertures (a total of 16 apertures in FIG. 2). The surfaces23, which can have various geometric shapes such as rectangles, ovals,etc., define the bottoms of the apertures. When base mat B is formedhaving a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures may befilled with photographs to form a collage of photographs. The number andshape and location of apertures in base mat B (and the correspondingnumber and shape and location of apertures in top mat A) form a templateto receive and mount a collage of photographs. That is, the photographsare mountable within the album in a template formed by the number andshape of apertures formed within base mat B (and top mat A).

The method of mounting photographs in the album will now be described.The flat external surface 23 of each aperture within base mat Bcomprises an adhesive surface. A thin removable layer or film 25 ofprotective material is placed over and adhered to each adhesive surfaceof each aperture within base mat B to protect the adhesive surface untila photograph is to be mounted. When the user desires to mount aphotograph in an aperture of base mat B, the user peels the film ofprotective material off of the surface of the aperture exposing theadhesive surface to the atmosphere. The user then places the photographon the adhesive surface and presses the photograph against the adhesivesurface to mount the photograph in the aperture.

After the film of protective material has been removed, it may be usedas a template to size a photograph to fit the available space in theaperture from which the film of protective material was removed.Specifically, in some embodiments, the film of protective material hasapproximately the same geometric area and shape as the correspondingaperture, and may therefore be placed over a photograph that is largerthan the aperture. The film of protective material is preferablytransparent so that the underlying photograph may be visible through thefilm of protective material. The user can then see what portions of theunderlying photograph will fit in the aperture. The user can then cutaway the edge portions of the photographs that extend beyond the edgesof the film of protective material so that the trimmed photograph willfit precisely within the aperture. In this way the film of protectivematerial may serve as a template for sizing a photograph to fit withinthe aperture.

The strength of the adhesive in the adhesive surface of the aperture issufficient to retain the photograph in place within the aperture.However, the strength of the adhesive in the adhesive surface ispreferably limited so that the user can remove the photograph from theadhesive of the aperture without damaging the photograph. Prior artadhesive materials are commonly so strong that they do not permit a userto remove a photograph after the photograph has been initially placed.Trying to remove a photograph from such prior art adhesive materialsresults in damage to the photograph.

The strength of the adhesive material in the adhesive surface of eachaperture of base mat B allows the user to place a plurality ofphotographs in a first arrangement within the apertures of base mat Band then later remove the photographs without damage. The user can thenrearrange the photographs in a second arrangement within the aperturesof base mat B. The user can subsequently make other rearrangements ofthe photographs within the apertures of base mat B until the userdecides on a final arrangement. The strength of the adhesive allows thephotographs to be mounted and the subsequently removed to be rearrangednumerous times. After the user has decided on a final arrangement of thephotographs within the collage of photographs in base mat B, the userthen places top mat A over the combination of the photographs and basemat B.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the exterior surface oftop mat A is covered with a sheet of transparent material such asplastic or glass. This exterior transparent sheet of material covers theentire surface of top mat A including the photographs mounted withinbase mat B. A viewer may see the photographs through the transparentsheet of material of top mat A after top mat A is mounted over base matB. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transparentsheet of material is not formed of an adhesive material. In anotheradvantageous embodiment of the invention, the transparent sheet ofmaterial is formed of an adhesive material that adheres to base mat Band the photographs within base mat B. The strength of the adhesivematerial of the transparent material in top mat A is limited so that theuser can remove top mat A from base mat B without damaging thephotographs that are mounted within base mat B. This allows the user tosubsequently remove top mat A from base mat B in order to rearrange thephotographs in base mat B at some later time.

As described above, in some embodiments, the surface of top mat A thatfaces and contacts base mat B is covered with a sheet of transparentmaterial such as plastic or glass. When top mat A contacts base mat B,this transparent sheet of material covers base mat B including theviewable objects mounted within base mat B.

An advantageous embodiment of a method for mounting a photograph in thealbum of the present invention comprises the steps of: (1) removing aprotective film from an adhesive surface of an aperture of base mat B;(2) mounting a photograph within the aperture; and (3) mounting top matA on base mat B and the photograph.

An advantageous embodiment of another method for mounting photographs inthe album of the present invention comprises the steps of: (1) removinga plurality of protective films from a plurality of adhesive surfaces ofa plurality of apertures of base mat B; (2) mounting a plurality ofphotographs within the plurality of apertures in a first arrangement;(3) removing the plurality of photographs from the plurality ofapertures; (4) mounting the plurality of photographs within theplurality of apertures in a second arrangement; and (5) mounting top matA on base mat B and the plurality of photographs.

As previously mentioned, top mat A may be removed from base mat Bwithout damaging the photographs so that the photographs may also berearranged at some later time. It is noted that the apertures within topmat A may or may not be the same size as the apertures in base mat B. Inone advantageous embodiment of the invention the size of the aperturesof top mat A are smaller than the apertures in base mat B.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the album is capable ofmounting a single photograph. In another advantageous embodiment of theinvention, the album is capable of mounting a plurality of photographsin a collage of photographs. The layout of the collage of photographs isdetermined by the number and shape and location of apertures (i.e., thetemplate) within the base mat B of the album. In another advantageousembodiment of the invention, the album may be mounted in a frame that issuitable for hanging on a wall for display.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art will understand thatvarious changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements of theinvention disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention in its broadest form.

None of the description in the present application should be read asimplying that any particular element, step, or function is an essentialelement which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTEDSUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none ofthese claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC §112 unlessthe exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

1. An apparatus for displaying an object for viewing, comprising: a basethat defines therein an aperture for receiving the object, including afirst surface adjacent said aperture and a second surface that defines abottom of said aperture, said second surface offset from said firstsurface to define a depth of said aperture, said second surfaceincluding an adhesive surface portion; and a layer of material removablyadhered to said adhesive surface portion, said layer of material limitedto a geometric area that is, at most, approximately equal to a geometricarea of said second surface, said layer of material removable from saidadhesive surface portion to expose said adhesive surface portion foradhesive mounting of the object onto said second surface.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said geometric area of said layer ofmaterial is approximately equal to said geometric area of said secondsurface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said layer of material hasa geometric shape that is substantially similar to a geometric shape ofsaid second surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said layer ofmaterial is transparent.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidgeometric area of said layer of material is approximately equal to ageometric area of said adhesive surface portion.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein said geometric area of said layer of material isapproximately equal to said geometric area of said second surface. 7.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said layer of material is transparent.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said layer of material istransparent.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said adhesive surfaceportion has an adhesive strength that permits the object to be removedfrom said second surface without damaging the object.
 10. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of said apertures anda plurality of said layers of material respectively corresponding tosaid apertures.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of saidsecond surfaces has a geometric shape which differs from a geometricshape of another of said second surfaces.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said base is a mat and said object includes one of a pictorialimage and a textual image.
 13. A kit for producing an apparatus whichdisplays objects for viewing, comprising: a first mat that definestherein an aperture for receiving the object, including a first surfaceadjacent said aperture and a second surface that defines a bottom ofsaid aperture, said second surface offset from said first surface todefine a depth of said aperture, said second surface including anadhesive surface portion; a layer of material removably adhered to saidadhesive surface portion, said layer of material limited to a geometricarea that is, at most, approximately equal to a geometric area of saidsecond surface, said layer of material removable from said adhesivesurface portion to expose said adhesive surface portion for adhesivemounting of the object onto said second surface; said first mat definingtherein a plurality of said apertures; a plurality of said layers ofmaterial removably adhered to respectively corresponding ones of saidadhesive surface portions; and a second mat for mounting on said firstmat after said objects have been adhesively mounted onto therespectively corresponding second surfaces, said second mat having aplurality of transparent portions which, when said second mat is mountedon said first mat, respectively overlie said objects to permit saidobjects to be viewed through said second mat.
 14. The kit of claim 13,wherein said second mat includes an adhesive material for permittingsaid second mat to adhere to said first mat and to said objects, saidadhesive material having an adhesive strength that permits said secondmat to be removed from adherence to said first mat and said objectswithout damaging said objects.
 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein saidlayers of material have respective geometric shapes which aresubstantially similar to geometric shapes of the respectivelycorresponding ones of said second surfaces.
 16. The kit of claim 13,wherein said adhesive surface portions have adhesive strength thatpermits said objects to be removed from said second surfaces withoutdamaging said objects.
 17. A method of mounting an object onto a displayapparatus, comprising: preparing a bottom surface of an aperture withinthe display apparatus to adhesively bond to the object regardless ofwhether any adhesive material has been previously provided on theobject, said preparing step consisting of removing from said bottomsurface a layer of material which is removably adhered to said bottomsurface and which is limited to a geometric area that is, at most,approximately equal to a geometric area of said bottom surface; andplacing the object into contacting relationship with said bottom surfaceto adhesively mount the object onto said bottom surface.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein said removing step includes peeling said layer ofmaterial from said bottom surface.
 19. The method of claim 17,including, after said removing step, using said layer of material todetermine a spatial relationship between said object and said bottomsurface.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said using step includesviewing said object through said layer of material.